The gentle cool breeze was fresh, and the ground below his paws was still damp with evening dew. The forest behind the little red and white cottage was lush and green, sending soft sounds of night drifting in the wind towards him.

Lucario breathed a sigh through his snout. He felt strangely at peace here. Pallet Town wasn't a bustling city, or a very grand place to live, but it was charming and quaint. Close enough to the forest to connect to the wild Pokémon, but civilized enough for humans to live without much conflict. His ear flicked, and he stared up at the clear sky with a subtle smile. Even the stars found this a suitable place. Though, Ash's home was closer to the woods then the downtown of Pallet, and Lucario found that the stars did not favor cities. Perhaps they were merely here for Ash and his family.

Speaking of family, Lucario now knows where Ash got his stubborn streak. Maiden Delia was a more like a mother Pokémon then a human one in Lucario's opinion. It was obvious from the start that unless you had an actual logical argument to discuss with her, her word was law. However, with her loving and kind nature it never felt as if the environment was oppressive. It felt safe. Like nothing horrible would ever happening in this cottage and the surround village, and if something were to happen, Maiden Delia would fight to keep everyone safe.

And considering the number of actions Lucario had seen Ash take to protect others, there was no doubt that the lad's mother was willing to do the same.

However, the peace of outside garden wouldn't last forever. Behind Lucario, the soft footsteps of a small pair of paws could be heard coming closer. He turned around finding the pup coming near him.

"Rio (Hello)."

"Lu car (Little one)."

"Ri lu (What are you doing)?"

"Ca Lu Car (Watching the perimeter)."

"Ri (Why)?"

"Rio Lu Ca (to ensure the safety of the humans. They are not prepared for a sudden attack)."

"Olu Ri (sudden attack? Mom said that the wild Pokémon don't bother the humans)."

"Lu cari ca (Not just the wild Pokémon, but Team Rocket could appear as well)," Lucario's brows furrowed, "Ri (mom?)."

"O lu Ri (Miss Delia, all the others call her mom. And I never had a mom so, I wanted too too)."

Lucario hummed, "Ca lu Lucar Rio (Never? Do you not remember your birth mother? Did you not feel her from within the shell?)"

Abandoned? The pup was abandoned. Lucario was angry, but not unsurprised. Sadly, that was the only picture of where this little one came from. Packs were a place of safety, but they could also be shockingly paranoid. If Riolu's mother had been killed before her offspring were to hatch…it wasn't uncommon for the males to cast out eggs that had less chances of surviving, once the mother was out of the picture. Especially if a new female took charge and said egg wasn't one of their own.

Riolu looked like he was in deep thought for a moment, before shaking his head, "Olu ri ri O olu (I remember feeling safe and loved, but then she was gone. Her trainer probably didn't want me, so they left me at the daycare. Eggs are a lot of work. A lot of trainers don't like to bother with an egg.)"

Lucario nearly growled, but silenced himself. Humans. They were a confusing race. Some like Ash and master, being so kind as to give their lives for the sake of their loved ones and duties. Yet, in the world there were humans who are willing to separate a mother from her pup out of mere inconvenience.

"Lucari Car Rio (So, you never knew your pack then)?"

The pup tiled his head confused, young red eyes sparkling with curiously, "Olu (Pack?)"

Lucario resisted reacting to the deep aching wave of disbelief and righteous rage that threated to drown his stone heart into softening. Did this little one, know nothing of his heritage and culture? Mostly, likely not. Being raised by humans. Good humans, but humans none the less.

"Lu cari ca lu Rio Lu Ca Cari (A pack little one. In the wild they would be the ones to raise and train you. Teach you how to hunt and fend for yourself. Protect you.)"

"Rio Olu (I don't think we have those any more. We have trainers.)"

"Lu Cari lu (perhaps, but history has its purposes otherwise no one would bother to learn it.)"

Riolu hummed, "Ri olu (But I don't know how to learn history.)"

Lucario was saved from the impending snort by Ash opening the back door of the cottage, to tell them that supper was ready.

Delia made sure to keep her footsteps quiet, despite already wearing slippers on carpet, as she opened the Ash's bedroom door. The pale light of the hallway, sneaking its way into the darked bedroom. She smiled once the soft snores of the two sleeping boys hit her ears. Ash was curled up on his air mattress like he did whenever he had friends over, allowing Goh to have the loft. Both children snuggled up with their Pokémon while they dreamed.

What did she do to deserve this wonderful life? She figured it was something that took great sacrifice or struggle or something else horrible. Otherwise, she wouldn't have earned this life. A happy home. A thriving business. A son. Her wonderful little boy.

If only she knew who gave her such a gift.

Still with a warm smile on her face, Delia closed the bedroom door. She shut off the hall light, before descending the stairs back down to the ground floor of her home. The hollow halls of her home, while warm, felt quiet and empty. It was an odd, uncomfortable feeling. One that Delia never understood why she had it. When Ash first left on his journey, she wrote it off as her missing her son, but it wasn't that she was alone in the house that bothered her. It was how quiet it felt. Like something should be making noise. Delia shook her head, and brushed off the shiver that went down her back. The feeling would be gone by tomorrow. It wasn't as bad when it was warm outside, anyway.

Delia continued through the home. Shutting off lights, in the empty rooms. A house at night is supposed to be dark. Eventually making it to the front of the house. The living room lights were already off. Lucario curled up on the fluffy rug, that Mrs. Ketchum had knitted together before Delia arrived here. It was actually a sweet sight, and kind of humorous considering how serious the Pokémon tried to act throughout dinner. Oh, this one would be like Charizard. A hard iron shell on the outside, but a mushy heart with in. Delia could tell. She grabbed a heavy quilt from the back off the couch, and draped it over the blue Pokémon. Lucario curled up tighter into the quilt. Yes, a mushy heart indeed.

Smiling to herself, Delia turned around and found the only light left on in the house and the only not sleeping occupant. Sir Aaron was currently sitting at the kitchen table, the small overhead light still on, and papers spread out on the wooden surface in front of him. Delia held back a snort at the confused expression on his face.

For a knight who was from legends that were centuries old, Delia was sort of surprised to learn about how normal Sir Aaron acted. He was polite, and while clearly curious, was respectful of all boundaries that were placed. Delia wasn't a woman who laid down when other disrespected her. She might be sweet like a daisy, but she was strong like an oak. Thankfully the knight had picked up on this.

He also got along so splendidly with the boys. Ash especially. It was relieving to know that someone had taken such an interest in her son. Male role models had sadly not been abundant in Ash's life, and it was clear that the two of them were cut from the same cloth. Energic and impulsive, but with a kind heart. For some reason, Delia had no problem imagining a young Sir Aaron falling out of trees or doing some other dangerous stunts that Ash did as a child. And she also hoped that this would be the kind of person Ash might grow up to be one day.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Delia said, walking towards the kitchen table.

The pair pale blue eyes snapped out of their frustrated confusion, and looked up at her, "I'm afraid that the confusion plaguing me wouldn't be worth a cent of your money, Madam."

"And what's the cause of your confusion, Sir knight?" Delia teased.

"Considering what seems to the rules of chivalry be for this modern era, you need not use my title," Sir Aaron said with a puzzled look.

"Yet, you forget that those rules go both ways. I told you not to call me Madam. It makes me feel like an old ugly crone," Delia smirked.

"I meant no offense."

Delia chuckled, "And I took none," she took out her blue teapot and began to fill it with water from the sink, "Tea?"

Sir Aaron nodded then sighed, "As for your query, I can't seem to make head nor tails of these modern scrolls."

"How much are you not understanding?" Delia said, putting the pot on the stove.

"Practically every other word. I am not certain on how to pronounce some of them," Sir Aaron, picked up a page and shook it to straightened it, "Such as, Ri-ribaso—Ribosoame..?"

"Ribosome?" Delia said taking a seat in the chair next to Sir Aaron.

"If that's how you say it."

Delia lightly gripped the top corner of the paper, tilting it towards her slightly. Her brows creased as she searched the page, eventually she nodded.

"Ribosome," she said with certainty.

"Then what on Arceus' green world, is a ribosome?"

"I have no idea," Delia chuckled, picking up a different page that was laid on the table, "Why are you reading these anyway? I thought the boys already looked them over."

The knight took a deep breath, "I'm not sure. Perhaps, I was hoping to see something they missed. If Professor Gen is my sister's…If she is Emily's descendent…maybe I just wanted to see if…"

"…there were similarities?"

Sir Aaron nodded.

Delia remained silent for a moment. Looking for familiarity in the vast unknown was something that she could relate too. Before Ash was born, Delia used to play a game with herself, she'd look into random objects, books, or anything to see if it reminded her of something. She hadn't been disappointed if that familiarity didn't give her a flash of memory, just a feeling of déjà vu was all she had been looking for. It wasn't until she started gardening, and reading up on botany and herbology did she find that familiarity.

Sadly, it seemed that Sir Aaron hadn't found that yet.

"How would you describe your sister?" Delia asked.

"Well…" Sir Aaron looked puzzled, as if trying to find the right words.

"First three words that pop into your head, when you think of her," Delia said.

"What?"

"Just do it. Humor me."

"Uhm Rebellious, confident, kind."

"So, you wouldn't describe her as cold and clinical?" Delia said, staring at the page in hand a little more intensely.

"What? No. Not in a century. Emily was probably the warmest person in my family. Passionate and wild. She loved riddles and mysteries."

"Then I don't think you'll find many similarities between her and this Professor Gen."

"What makes you suggest that?"

"You can tell a lot about a person by the way they write," Delia said, "and this paper. It's cold. Facts and numbers, nothing flowery in between. Very clinical," she hummed, "You said she might be our niece and nephew's mother?"

"Our…?"

"They are my son's cousins. They're my niece and nephew. Don't you dare argue with me on this."

Sir Aaron held up his arms in surrender, "I would not ever ponder it, M'lady."

Delia snorted, but then shook her head, "If she is their mother, I'm worried."

"How so?"

"If she acts how she writes? How loving of a home did her children grow up in? Has there even been a missing person's report for either of her children?"

"Missing person's report?"

"When someone can't locate a family member of loved one, they have the option of filing for a missing person's report. It pretty much let's all the authorities know who to look for and where the missing person was last seen."

Sir Aaron hummed, "I am uncertain if we have found any."

Delia felt her brows crease in deep thought. She slapped the page she was holding on the table, while her on her free hand, fingertips rapidly rapped on the wooden table top. The 35-year-old woman abruptly stood up and walked over to one the many drawers underneath her kitchen counter. Sliding the draw open allowed access to a mini world of disorganized pens, pencils, rubber bands, (used and unused) sticky notes, clips, and a couple thumb tacks mixed in. However, Delia ignored all those little nick-nacks, reached into the drawing and pulled out a small slim silver laptop.

"Maybe we can try to find them?" She said turning around, presenting the laptop with a mischievous smile.

"Does everyone have one of those devices in this era?" Sir Aaron said as Delia sat back down.

"Most of us probably. I'm not that good with technology, but I know how to use this old thing. It's become a necessity for running the restaurant."

"Truly? What does this device have to do with running your tavern?"

"Oh, it helps me keep in touch with my employees, suppliers, and anyone else involved. Email had practically become my second language. I also use it to keep track of payroll. No one take physical checks these days, only digital."

Sir Aaron makes a face that reminded Delia of Ash whenever her little boy didn't understand, "Emails?"

"The are sort of like instant letters."

"...and they are digital?"

"Yes."

"Meaning they are not something you actually hold, but read through the computers screen?"

"Yes."

Sir Aaron nodded, but his face told her that he still wasn't really sure of what he just said. It was oddly adorable.

By the time that the teapot squealed, sadly they pair of adults didn't find much. Not that Delia expected too. She only knew how to run a search engine, and how to tell whether or not a source was creditable or not.

"Cream or honey?" Delia asked as she set the tea to stew.

"Honey please," Sir Aaron said.

"Well, I'd say I'm disappointed with our lack of findings, but considering my sleuthing skills, I'm not surprised," she said handing the knight his cup.

"You know more than me," Sir Aaron grinned almost boyishly.

Delia chuckled.

There was a pause. Silence echoing throughout the halls.

"You know, I've been meaning to thank you," Delia said.

"Thank me?" Sir Aaron raised a brow.

"For everything you've been doing with Ash. I know my little boy has good instincts, and heart, but he is still young and needs guidance. Some of which I can't give him. No one has ever really taken interest in him, at least not in the way you have. I know that the situation is worse than how bad Ash tells me it is. He doesn't want me to worry about him too much. But at least this time, I know he's not alone. Thank you for that."

"It's no trouble, Delia. You've raised a bright boy. Ash has been nothing but a delight. You must be proud."

"Oh, I am. He's gone so far. Done so much. Always pushing. Sometimes I wonder if that's a good thing."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I raised Ash with the ideology that with hard work and determination, he'd be able to do anything. That's why I always encouraged every interest, and for him to push himself. The other moms called me crazy. Said I was setting him up for disappointment for when he finally failed. That I shouldn't give him so much hope."

"Then the other mothers are fools," Sir Aaron said, shaking his head, "From my understanding, Ash has failed, but every time the lad picked himself back up. Hope drives us to move forward when it feels impossible."

"That good Sir Knight is a philosophy that I can agree with," Delia hummed, "To be honest. Hope is what has gotten me this far."

"Whatever do you mean?" Sir Aaron's expression turned sullen, and his placed his mug on the table to turn his full attention to the woman in front of him.

"I trust Ash has told you that his father is not in the picture?" Delia said placing her own cup down.

Sir Aaron nodded, "What he knows of the matter. I take it is not a happy tale."

"Probably not. I don't remember Ash's father. Something happened to me before I came to pallet town and I couldn't remember anything beyond my name," Delia sighed.

"That must have been difficult."

"It was, and considering there was a war going on at the time…it was likely that my story was not a happy one."

"You truly cannot remember him?"

"Not his face. Not his name. I don't even remember loving him. Sometimes that frightens me," Delia swallowed, "You know, when Ash was little, I used to make up stories. I told him that his father was a Pokémon Master, one that left to save the world, but never came home. He knows the truth now."

"Yet, you still wish that he believed the stories over the truth."

"Is that selfish of me? The stories are probably happier. We couldn't even find anything on him. Not one relative."

Sir Aaron's brow creased in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"There's this modern-day company. Basically, they take your spit and tell you where your family is from."

The knight's expression only grew more confused, "What kind of witchcraft…?"

"It's not witchcraft. It's DNA matching."

"I don't know what that is either…"

"You don't need to. Anyway, a few years ago I decided to take a crack at it. We learned that I am mostly kantoian, with a little bit of Johto mixed in, and Ash has 25% of Sinnoh blood along with the regions I'm from. But we didn't match up to anyone else in their database. Now that could just mean that my family were a bunch of technophobic hermits, but…"

"Still bizarre?"

Delia nodded, "We haven't looked again after that," She smiled, "Though, I doubt will need too. We'll have a niece and a nephew at the least now, won't we? We'll rebuild our family."

Sir Aaron smiled back at her, and Delia felt as if she knew that smile.

Giovonni all but growled as he read the report in front of him. Matori had lost the boy. How had she lost one single teenaged boy? His elite team had been placed in her control. Yet, they couldn't hold on to one measly teenaged boy! Were they that incompetent? Persian stirred in his master's lap, looking up with a concerned mew. The terrorist leader felt the nearly overwhelming desire to throw the table in hand at the nearest window.

"It would do you good to keep your emotions in-check."

This time Giovonni did growl, his beady eyes drifting towards the darkest corner of the room. His current business partner was an odd sort of fellow. He always kept to the dark corners, and every time he entered the room Giovonni felt the hair on the back of his neck stand up. Even Persian was unsettled by the newcomer. However, the offer that he gave to Giovonni was too good to pass up.

"I do not need to keep them in check. Especially, when my grunts are imbecilic morons."

"Do not blame your foot soldiers. Even if they are barely trained more than first year squires, the lad escaping is far from their fault. The boy is a descendant of the house of Arlon. They are known for being hard to kill."

Giovonni narrowed his eyes, "So you say they are."

An echoing chuckle came from the corner, "I have a history with the family, you could say. Despite their great deeds, the bloodline is made up of cruel shallow people. They slip away from consequences and throw each other to the spearows without a second thought."

"Then if they are such a horrible family, and you despise them so much, then why are you insisting we use them for the ritual?"

"Despite the obvious lack of users?"

Giovonni entertained a nod.

"While hypocrites, they may be. They are also very powerful. And we will need that power."

"According to you we will."

The corner was quiet for a moment, "You do not trust me?"

"Caution is a good trait in any businessman. And while your proposal is tempting. I can't help but feel like you haven't told me all the variables."

The darkness began to chuckle once more, "You are more perceptive than I took you for Giovonni. What 'variables' do you need to feel more at ease with our agreement?"

"Maybe you could explain just exactly what you are getting out of this plan? You've given us all these resources, tips, information. Who and what the aura users are to you. What are you gaining from this?"

"More then you could ever understand."

A/N:

Considering that Lucario's are a male dominated Pokémon species, I'm headcanoning that the few females would head the packs. And all the males would raise the pups, whether or not, the little ones were actually "Theirs". So, currently Lucario is fighting his instincts and Riolu's adorable puppy eyes.

Delia and Sir Aaron was a pairing that I wasn't originally going to put into the fic, but I'm not disappointed. They are oddly cute together. And did their convo, flow well? When I was writing it, I was worried I was jumping in-between convo topics to fast.

Arlon, is the name that is paired with Sir Aaron's Ao3 tag. I'm not sure if it's his Japanese name, or something else. But I decided to make it the name of his family's house. After one of this ansectors.

And who is this mysterious figure who's lurking in the corner, and how is he connected with our aurafam? Hummm.

Anyway, here's a spoiler for y'all. Who ready to see our beloved bad-girl back on screen next time?